Journey of Happiness crosses the land of Kindness

Let me share a story first.

One day a teacher wanted to demonstrate something to her class.
She started giving each student a balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her name on it using a marker pen.

Not knowing about what to do or say, each of the students followed and excitedly did it. Each student wrote their names on the balloon and handed it back to the teacher.
Then the teacher took all the balloons and put in another room.
Now she told them that all of them had to go to the other room and find the balloon which had their name written, within 5 minutes. They quickly got up and ran to the room. Pretty soon everything became chaotic.

All of the students were frantically looking the balloon with their name, colliding with each other, pushing around others and there was utter chaos.

At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their own balloon.

Now the teacher asked everyone to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it.

Within minutes everyone had their own balloon!

And everyone was dancing in joy – happy faces. Because it was in the “giving” (balloons to others) that they “received” (happiness).

The above story pretty much talks about our own lives too. We are constantly in search for happiness all around, aren’t we? Not knowing where it is.

Hardly do we realize that it has been within us all along. Just waiting for us to realize it, choose it, share it and just BE Happy.

So, What Happiness means ?

Oxford English Dictionary’s says “happiness” means:- “The state of being happy.”

In simple words it means the state of joy and contentment, an emotion which makes you feel elated and light. Often physically portrayed by a “SMILE”

But, do you think happiness means same for everyone? Just take a pause now and think what happiness means to you?

I’m sure many different interpretations would come up. For the aspirants of an exam, say UPSC, seeing their name in the final coveted list may define Happiness. For a mother seeing her child giggle makes her happy. A text or a call from someone close brings a smile to our faces. Travelling may mean happiness to someone whereas staying home in cozy bed, to someone else. Having pizza for one and having home cooked rajma for other.

Isn’t it such a wide concept to explain? I doubt if one can give a concrete definition for happiness.

But, one thing universally accepted that gives happiness is “GIVING TO OTHERS”

You may recall any incident in your life, where your just one act of KINDNESS might have helped someone in a huge manner. Your one small act might have made someone’s day. And that “feeling” that you get after helping others – undoubtedly is Happiness.

In the above story that I shared. Children were anxious when they couldn’t find their own balloons. But when they decided to GIVE each other. Within few minutes every child was dancing in joy seeing their balloons.

What Helping others does ? It takes your sorrow to a back seat and u feel joy and fulfillment (happiness)

As they say Maths of life is this simple – happiness multiplies when it is divided

Don’t you agree? So out of so many definitions or explanations about Happiness. We can certainly choose to share with others, help others, which will certainly give happiness to you.

As Buddha said- “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.”

So, next time when you feel low and look for a reason to be happy. Go and feed an animal, or put water in a cup in your balcony and see that little bird quench her thirst, lend a helping hand for a needy. And see what it brings back !

Let’s all be Kind to others , because, why not be Happy ? 😉

Do not forget to do things that make our souls shine ! 🙂

P.S. Do share your idea of happiness in the comments.